College Principal

Last week we celebrated International Women’s Day in a variety of ways. Our Student Leaders organised an informative panel discussion for Assembly. Emily Whitehouse from the ‘So They Can’ organisation which plays a vital role in providing young women with access to education in Africa, and Ms McGovern, our Deputy Principal Staff joined the prefect panel to discuss the UN Global theme for all women: rights, equality and empowerment. We were then treated to an inspirational panel discussion organised by the Ex-Students’ Association in collaboration with the P&F Association where we heard from accomplished ex-students from the entertainment, corporate, leadership, sport and technology sectors. I was very excited to meet and hear from Paula Duncan AM, (who first entered my life as Detective Dani Francis in Cop Shop in 1977); a trailblazer in Australian television. Bridget Clark, Olympian spoke about overcoming barriers in her field while Amy Rixon and Annabel Crowley added corporate and technology perspectives. Our thanks to moderator Anne Salem, who challenged all of us to keep marching forward for women and girls. On Friday, our  Student Leaders had the privilege of joining 1700 people at the UN International Women’s Day Lunch, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, shared powerful insights on leadership, gender equality and creating lasting change. Comedian and activist Celeste Barber also contributed to a rich conversation. 

Over time, women have had many occasions to celebrate their wins for gender equality but there is still a long way to go. The positive steps forward are sadly being overshadowed by current world events. The breakdown of social cohesion. Conflict in the Middle East, in Europe and the Sudan. The loss of major funding via USAID to critical services for women and children globally. Ever-increasing abuses of women’s rights in places like Afghanistan. And at home in Australia, the current populist rhetoric attacking everything from women’s rights to access to working from home.

One in four countries globally experienced a backlash against women’s rights in 2024, according to today’s report by UN Women. Only 87 countries have ever been led by a woman. A woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by a partner or a family member.

There has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of women and girls living in conflict areas. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said about recent events, ‘Instead of mainstreaming equal rights, we’re seeing the mainstreaming of misogyny.’ He has called on everyone to make human rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls. ‘When women and girls can rise, we all thrive,’ he said. Enabling more women and girls to thrive happens with collective, determined action. 

Congratulations to both our Year 7 and Year 4 students who had a very positive and engaging outdoors learning experience at Tallong for their respective camps recently. Teachers reported that students stepped out of their comfort zones trying new activities and enjoying the great outdoors. I was fortunate to be able to spend time with the Year 7 students and I really enjoyed seeing them be self-sufficient, brave and able to get along well with their camp mates. The Year 10 Outdoor Camp Leaders showed great enthusiasm and took very good care of their younger friends, encouraging them and supporting them to overcome their fears. 

Next week we will celebrate two national campaigns – Harmony Week as well as Neurodiversity Week will provide the foundation for a whole host of activities that will celebrate diversity. While Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s rich cultural diversity, it also urges us to combat racism wherever and whenever it arises. Putting the spotlight on Neurodiversity is also important in contributing to a more inclusive world. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. Tts theme – Celebrating Different Minds – is at the core of what it means to be a Christian – to love unconditionally, and to respect the human dignity of every person.  

As we approach the upcoming federal election, we want to share some important information about the potential impact it may have on our school and the Independent school sector as a whole. Decisions made during this election could directly affect funding and the ability of families to choose schools that align with their values and aspirations. Independent schools like ours play a vital role in offering diverse and high-quality educational opportunities. These schools are funded through a combination of government support and the significant contributions of families and communities. Ensuring stable and fair funding is essential to maintaining the high standards of education we strive to provide. 

Independent schools educate over 716,000 students nationwide, offering families diverse educational options that reflect their values and aspirations. These schools enrich our community by fostering inclusion and supporting students from a range of backgrounds, including

• 60% from low- to middle-income families
• 19,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• 157,000 students with disabilities. 

Government funding is essential to making Independent education affordable for families, particularly as costs continue to rise due to inflation and increased demands for resources. However, Independent schools receive significantly less government funding than public schools. On average, Independent school students receive $10,000 less in government funding per year than their public school counterparts. Raising awareness about these issues is an important step in protecting the diversity and accessibility of education for all families.

Paulina Skerman
College Principal

Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

The Lenten Season at Santa Sabina

Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Liturgical season of Lent. This Holy Day was marked across the College with a range of student-run liturgies. In our Year 5-12 Liturgy we heard from both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Of particular significance was this passage from the Gospel of Matthew and the student reflection followed:

The first commandment is this, that ‘you will love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You will love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’

‘Jesus’ answer sounds simple, but … the neighbour thing isn’t really about people we know, the people we like to be with, the people who are just like us. The neighbour thing, according to Jesus, is about everyone and especially those who are lonely, who face personal challenges and who find themselves in impossible situations that they often have no control over.

‘We are all conscious of the multitude of problems facing the world today, especially the inequalities that exist in opportunities for millions upon millions of people impacted by poverty and conflict. It is easy to say things like, ‘people in Ukraine are not my neighbour – let someone else deal with it’ or ‘it’s awful that there are so many homeless people in Sydney right now, but hey, I can’t fix it’. That is not what Jesus said in the Gospel today. He said everyone is my neighbour and it is my duty to care. 

‘This Lent as a College community and in our homes, we have a chance to respond to the Gospel in the spirit of Dominic by giving generously to the Caritas Appeal. Caritas is an international Catholic agency working every day of the year to assist those who have little or nothing. It can only fulfil its mission to ‘love thy neighbour’ if people like us give generously and unselfishly to show that we too are committed to the Commandment to Love. It is our way of showing 100% hope in a better world.’

Throughout Lent we will be supporting Caritas with our Shrove Tuesday pancake stall, a Bake sale organised by Gioia House and a new initiative ‘Carry for Caritas’ which is a relay organised in House teams to draw attention to the issue of water deprivation in communities supported by Caritas. At Del Monte and Gioia House students will be donating via Project Compassion collection boxes and these will also be placed at the canteen on the Santa Sabina campus.   

We look forward to keeping you updated on our fundraising progress throughout Lent. 

Child Safety and Behaviour Management at the College

On Tuesday 25 February all students from Year 7-12 met with their Heads of House and other House staff to discuss our Child Safety measures, behaviour management, anti-bullying policies and our student code of conduct expectations. 

Some of the key information coming out of these presentations:

• All students at Santa Sabina College are our number one priority. Student safety and wellbeing are paramount. Everyone at the College has the right to feel safe, be safe and be protected. This positive and safe environment leaves no room for any words or actions contrary to what we stand for at Santa Sabina College. We are emphatic in ensuring that Santa Sabina is a child safe organisation.
• We have structures and policies in place to ensure that all community members are able to build respectful relationships that respond effectively and sensitively to the needs of each person. 
• Individual differences and diversity within the College are respected and accepted. 
• Bullying is not tolerated at Santa Sabina College.

Consequences and/or sanctions for bullying behaviours may involve: 

• restorative actions appropriate to the particular incident 
• sanctions and loss of privileges. This could affect students’ involvement in out of College activities or co-curricular 
• behaviour improvement plans constructed in partnership with families and the College 
• monitoring of student behaviour following bullying incidents – suspension in-College or out of College 
• removal from the College community at the discretion of the College Principal.

Santa Sabina College has such practices and policies in place because we value positive relationships and we encourage positive connections. We wish to support and protect all young people in our care. 

All of the policies and guidelines mentioned above can be found on VO and are also contained in the student diary. 

Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care

Deputy Principal Operations

Over the past two years the College has moved the management of Co-curricular Activities to the Clipboard program. This has allowed us to have records of student attendance, report any incidents and collect results in the one place. It has also allowed us to keep more comprehensive co-curricular records for students. As a result, the College implemented a new system of awards for the Sport and Co-curricular Awards evening recognising those students with exemplary participation and achievement across a range of sporting and co-curricular endeavours. Clipboard works with the College App to notify parents of changes to sporting fixtures, student attendance and weather cancellations.

In recent months there have been reports of an increase in phishing attacks. Phishing is a way cyber criminals trick you into giving them personal information. They send you fraudulent emails or text messages often pretending to be from large organisations you know or trust. They may try to steal your online banking logins, credit card details or passwords, resulting in the loss of information, money or identity theft.  Some ways you can secure your account from phishing is to check any suspicious emails and report them to your email provider and never provide any personal details over the phone or the internet.

I would like to remind all students catching public transport to tap on and off whenever they enter and exit the vehicle. By tapping on and off when using public transport, the network can forecast the size and frequency of buses to provide on a bus route. 

The College bus service is a user pays service to assist families living in areas that have limited access to public transport to the College. All students using this service are expected to tap on and off as a means of duty of care. Parents of the students who use these buses can track the location of the buses using the Roll Call app. More details about the bus service and application forms can be found on the College website or at this link.

John Gilmore
Deputy Principal Operations

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

New Reporting Initiative: Interim Reports

As Ms Skerman noted in her Lamp Post, we have a new initiative Year 1-12 aimed at providing timely and comprehensive feedback on our students’ progress. Starting this term, teachers will report on two key categories: Student Behaviour and Student Work Ethic.

Teachers will assess students using four levels:

• Consistently
• Usually
• Sometimes
• Needs Improvement

These Approaches to Learning  will be reflected in our Interim Reports. These categories will replace previous Approaches to Learning on the Semester 1 and Semester 2 reports. The Interim Reports will be available to parents in Week 8 (commencing 24 March) through the Parent Lounge on VO. This initiative aims to keep parents informed and engaged in their child’s education, allowing for timely interventions and support where needed.

Additionally, the Interim Reports will include a section indicating whether an Interview is Welcomed or Interview is Requested. These interviews refer to the parent-teacher interviews scheduled for Term 2 Week 1 and Term 3 Week 1. This feature will facilitate better communication between parents and teachers, ensuring that any concerns or achievements are promptly addressed. We are committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment for all our students. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Year 7 History Program: Exploring the Past

As part of their Year 7 History classes, our students have embarked on an exciting journey into the world of history and archaeology. They began by brainstorming on large butcher’s paper, exploring fundamental questions such as ‘What is History?’ and ‘What is Archaeology?’ They delved into the various types of history, including biographical, political, and cultural, and discussed the importance of studying history. Through these activities, students learned how we uncover the past and the significance of historical inquiry. A teacher-led explanation of chronology helped them understand the concepts of BC, AD, BCE, and CE. Students then formed groups to create timelines, showcasing the oldest to the most recent artefacts and archaeological sites.

A highlight of the program was the investigation into the heritage of Santa Sabina College. Led by Ms Jane Sulis, a past student and current teacher, students engaged in a guided historical inquiry, exploring the rich history of the school. They participated in a historical walking tour, visiting significant sites such as St Dominic’s plot, the 1897 and 1927 buildings, the grotto, the School Crest mosaic in the Piazza, and the Centenary Wall Hanging in the Hall foyer. This immersive experience allowed students to connect with the past and appreciate the historical significance of their school environment.

Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Head of Primary P-6

In the quiet of Lent, let us listen more intently to God’s voice, reminding us that in the wilderness, we are not alone, for He walks beside us, guiding and renewing our spirit.

Last week, our school community gathered to observe Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection, prayer, and renewal. Students across all grades participated in a meaningful Ash Wednesday liturgy, where they learnt about the importance of prayer, reflection and renewal. Through class discussions and activities, they explored the importance of self-discipline, kindness, and growing closer to God during this sacred season.

It has been a joy to see our students settling into their school routines, building new friendships, and engaging in a wide range of learning experiences with enthusiasm. The start of the year is always an exciting time, filled with new challenges, discoveries and opportunities for growth.

Last week, our Year 4 students had an unforgettable experience at their Outdoor Education Experience in Tallong. The camp was a great success, bringing students closer together, challenging them to step out of their comfort zones, and fostering teamwork and resilience – not to mention their newfound appreciation for the five-star meals prepared by our renowned Chef Jeffrey!

Meanwhile, our youngest learners have been actively engaged in hands-on learning. Prep students have been developing their fine motor skills through dough and slime-making activities, while Kindergarten students have been exploring letters and numbers, setting strong foundations for literacy and numeracy. Year 3 and 5 students have been preparing for NAPLAN, building confidence ahead of their assessments.

Students in Gioia House participated in an insightful presentation by Constable Jim, who spoke about the importance of cybersafety and healthy relationships, equipping them with valuable knowledge to navigate the online world and build respectful connections.

A highlight of the week was our Del Monte first school assembly, proudly led by our Year 2 students. With enthusiasm and confidence, they shared their learning experiences with the community.

It is inspiring to witness our students embracing every opportunity to learn, grow, and connect. Thank you to our dedicated staff for making these experiences so enriching. We look forward to many more exciting moments ahead!

AIS NUMERACY PROJECT UPDATE

Our P-6 teachers have actively engaged in the second module of the AIS Numeracy Project professional development, focusing on analysing student screening assessment data to inform targeted teaching and learning strategies. As part of this process, all teaching staff met with AIS Consultant Henrietta Miller and me to plan for specific improvements in numeracy instruction.

A key focus of this module is the implementation of Daily Reviews, a structured 10–15 minute review at the beginning of each maths lesson. Research indicates that regular retrieval and revision of previously learned concepts reinforces knowledge, enhances retention and boosts student confidence in mathematics. This ongoing professional learning reflects our commitment to enhancing numeracy outcomes across all levels.

INTERIM REPORTS

As mentioned in Ms Skerman’s communications earlier this term, we are continually working to strengthen communication between the school and families. In line with this, we are pleased to introduce the Interim Report, which will be shared with families at the end of Term 1. This report will provide insights into students’ behaviour, work ethic and engagement, helping families and teachers collaboratively set practical goals to support student progress.

The Interim Report will also include an invitation or request for a Parent-Teacher Interview in Week 1 of Term 2, allowing for meaningful discussions about each child’s learning journey. Additionally, Semester 1 Reports will be released to parents at the end of Semester 1, providing a comprehensive overview of student achievement and growth.

KINDERGARTEN AND YEAR 4 BUDDIES

This Thursday, our Kindergarten students were introduced to their Year 4 buddies, marking the beginning of a wonderful peer support program. The Kindergarten and Year 4 Buddies Program fosters friendship, mentorship, and a sense of belonging, helping our youngest learners feel supported as they settle into school life. Year 4 students take on a leadership role, guiding and encouraging their younger peers through play, shared activities, and positive interactions. This program not only builds confidence and social skills but also strengthens our school community by creating meaningful connections between students across year levels. We look forward to seeing these friendships grow throughout the year!

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

In Week 4 we commissioned the newly elected Del Monte and Gioia House leaders at our induction liturgy. Congratulations to 2025 student leaders and we wish them a great year ahead. Embrace every opportunity and enjoy your journey. 

Santa Maria del Monte Student Leadership Team – 2025

Santa Maria del Monte House Leaders – 2025

Gioia House Student Leadership Team – 2025

Gioia House House Leaders – 2025

Harmony Day

Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on 21 March each year. It’s a day when all Australians celebrate our cultural diversity. It gives people the opportunity to celebrate what makes each Australian unique and share what we have in common. The continuing message for Harmony Day is that Everyone Belongs, which means all Australians are a welcome part of our country, regardless of their background. 

The students will be involved in Harmony Week activities. On Tuesday 18 March, the College will celebrate Harmony Day, engaging students in activities in their House groups across Prep to Year 12. To partake in the spirit of the day, students are encouraged to wear their sports uniforms along with shirts representing their House colours or alternative sports shirts.

On Friday 21 March, students are invited to wear a splash of orange, the official colour for Harmony Day. Some suggestions are listed below:

• shoelaces
• hair ribbons
• socks
• scrunchies
• head bands 
• hats.

PARENT HELPERS 2025

If you would like to be a parent helper on the Primary Campus in 2025, please complete the Google form below.

We will then contact new parent helper nominees for an induction and share information about the sessions.

If you have any questions, please contact Neda via email  n.korman@ssc.nsw.edu.au

Loving God, as we journey through Lent, help us to open our hearts to You. May we grow in faith, kindness, and compassion, following the example of Jesus. 

Stella Azizian
Head of Primary P-6

CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM

Gioia House Co-curricular activities include: 

Creative Experience Club – Monday lunchtime with Ms Trees
Writers’ Club – Monday lunchtime with Ms Anetter
Ethics Olympiad – Monday lunchtime with Ms Azizian
Performing Arts Club – Tuesday lunchtime with Ms Watkins 
IPSHA Debating – Tuesdays after school 3:30pm – 4:10pm with Ms Milicic and Ms Di Ciaccio
Homework Club – Tuesday after school in the SSC Library from 3:30pm – 4:15pm with Ms Kostakis
Kitchen Garden Club – Wednesday lunchtime with Mr Dunphy
Coding & Robotics – Wednesday lunchtime with Ms Maks
Crochet Club – Thursday lunchtime with Ms Tierney 

IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES

DEL MONTE AND GIOIA HOUSE

Wednesday 12 March – Monday 24 March – Year 3 and 5 NAPLAN
Tuesday 18 March – P-12 Harmony Day celebrations
Wednesday 19 March –Gioia House Bake & Treat Sale
Friday 21 March – P-12 Harmony Day
Monday 24 March – Primary Sydney Catholic Schools Sydney Swimming Championship 
Tuesday 25 March – Gioia House Sydney Catholic Schools Sydney Netball Trials
Tuesday 1 April – Gioia House Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Touch Football Trials 
Thursday 3 April – Del Monte Year 3 Assembly – 2:33-3:00pm DM Hall
Thursday 10 April – Del Monte Holy Week Liturgy – 2:00-3:00pm DM Hall
Friday 11 April – Term 1 concludes

Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH

School holiday FUN!

The Out of School Hours Care (OOSH) team has prepared an exciting Vacation Care program for children aged 6 to 12 years. The program has a daily art and craft activity and either an incursion or excursion to keep children busy and engaged. Excursions include a trip to the Reading Cinema to see Dog Man, games at Kingpin Bowling, Strathfield and an outing to Riverside Theatre, Parramatta to You’re an Instrument. Incursions include a visit from the Ultra Gaming Van, a pop-up experience with a Petting Zoo and a workshop with Junior architects. It’s ongoing to be a busy and exciting school holidays with our program commencing on Monday 14 April and concluding on Tuesday 28 April. OOSH is closed on Good Friday, Easter Monday and Anzac Day. 

Vacation care opens at 7:00am and closes at 6:00pm. OOSH provides breakfast and afternoon tea. Children need to bring a sunhat, water bottle, healthy morning tea and lunch. Families are entitled to claim Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to reduce the cost of OOSH fees. To book your child into vacation care contact our OOSH Coordinator Frances Windon at ooshmail@ssc.nsw.edu.au.

We look forward to making your child’s school holiday break memorable.

Jackie Baxter
Director of Mary Bailey House and OOSH

Director of Community Relations and Strategic Engagement

International Women’s Day

Our International Women’s Day panel was a celebration of inspiring women leading across entertainment, corporate leadership, sport, and technology. It was also a powerful reminder that the work of empowering women and girls is woven into the everyday life of our College.

Thank you to our outstanding ex-student speakers — Paula Duncan AM, actress, philanthropis and ambassador for women’s health (Class of 1972), Amy Rixon, Chief People Officer at HUB24 (Class of 1997), Bridget Clark Olympian and international rugby player (Class of 2020), and Annabel Cowley, computer software engineer at Canva (Class of 2018), and to our brilliant moderator Anne Salem, retail beauty industry expert and tv presenter (Class of 1986), who challenged us to keep marching forward — for ALL women and girls.

This was a combined community event – a special thank you to our Ex-Students’ Association and Parents & Friends’ Association for partnering with us to bring this event to life.

Discovery Tour

Our first Discovery Tour of 2025 was well attended by young families who are looking to educate their children at Santa Sabina as well as at St Lucy’s @ Santa – the satellite school on our campus which is part of St Lucy’s School. Our tour guides and our musicians – students from diverse years across the campus – were proud ambassadors of Santa Sabina who clearly enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their school.

Career Women’s Network

We invite College parents and ex-students to be part of our 2025 Career Women’s Network, an initiative that connects our Years 10-12 students, as well as recent graduates, with inspiring mentors from the Santa Sabina community.

Mentors play a crucial role in guiding and empowering our students as they step into the world beyond school. We would love for you to join us at our signature Career Women’s Breakfast on Friday 16 May 2025, from 7:00am – 9:00am in Siena Hall. Our Guest Speaker is Faith Halliday (Class of 2000), CEO of StratWest and Co-Chair of Parramatta Women’s Shelter.

There will also be opportunities throughout the year to participate in industry-specific networking events, work placements, and mock interviews.

This network continues to thrive – at last year’s breakfast, over 110 mentors from diverse industries connected with our senior students and recent graduates, offering invaluable support, work experience, and career advice. Their guidance has helped open doors and build confidence, ensuring our students are future-ready.

Research shows that women are often hesitant to put themselves forward, particularly for leadership roles. This is why we are calling on our alumni and community members to champion our young women, to share wisdom, encouragement, and real-world insights. 

If you are interested in becoming a mentor at this exciting event or throughout the year, please fill out the form below. Your involvement could make all the difference in shaping the future of our students.

Earlybird bookings for breakfast on Friday 16 May are now open:

We look forward to working together again through this important initiative and building our Santa Sabina networks and connections.

Yvette Graniero
Director of Community Relations and Strategic Engagement

Director of Outdoor Education, Tallong Campus

‘Thank you once again for all your assistance during the Loreto program, I know that you and the Tallong team were a tremendous help to Sam and Shane during all the wild weather. It is the strength of our partnership and ability to make things work in the moment together that makes for such happy clients each time we come to Tallong. I truly appreciate it!’

This was some feedback from an OEG (The Outdoor Education Group) client relationship manager that the Tallong team received a short while ago. One of the amazing aspects of the Tallong campus is the partnerships we have fostered over the past few years with numerous outdoor education providers who utilise our environs to deliver educational outcomes to their client schools.

Last week we welcomed our Year 7 students to the campus for their annual Outdoor Education Experience. This year the cohort was split across the week which allowed a more relaxed and cohesive atmosphere amongst the students and staff. Some hot days made for challenging conditions; however, the students all managed to complete the program and participate in the inaugural House Adventure Race on Wednesday. Big thanks to Mr Walker and the team for pulling this program together.

Looking ahead please save the following date for our annual parent and child camp to be held on 20 and 21 September 2025. More information will be forthcoming in Term 2.

Kendal Hann
Director of Outdoor Education and Tallong Campus

Director of Development

Supporting our community: Bequests, Scholarships, Building Fund Donations, and the Rosary Garden Appeal

As we continue to develop our College, we are grateful for the unwavering support from our alumni, families, and friends. Your contributions have a profound impact on the lives of our students and the future of Santa Sabina College.

Bequests

Bequests are a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy at Santa Sabina College. Our Orange Tree Society welcomes members to become part of our legacy. By including the College in your will, you ensure that future generations benefit from the exceptional education and opportunities that Santa Sabina provides. We invite you to consider making a bequest to support our mission and help us continue to inspire and educate young minds.

Scholarships

Our scholarship program is designed to make a Santa Sabina education accessible to talented students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to come to the College. We offer a range of scholarships; these provide students with the chance to excel in their studies and develop their unique talents. Our Annual Appeal will be sent to all families, ex-students and friends of the College in the coming weeks, and I urge you to please consider supporting us in this Appeal.

Building Fund Donations

The Building Fund is essential for maintaining and enhancing our College facilities. Your donations help us create state-of-the-art learning environments that foster academic excellence and personal growth. Recent contributions have enabled us to undertake significant projects, ensuring that our students have access to the best possible resources and spaces.

Rosary Garden Appeal

The Rosary Garden is a special initiative that allows our community to leave a lasting mark on the College. Located on our Del Monte campus, the garden is part of Phase 1 of our Master Plan. We invite individuals, families, and ex-students to support this project by securing one or more beads in the garden. Your name will be recorded on a plaque, creating a permanent legacy that will be cherished by current and future generations.

We are deeply grateful for your continued support and generosity.

Together, we can ensure that Santa Sabina College remains a place of excellence, inspiration, and community.

For any of the Development opportunities mentioned above I am available to speak with you at any time and welcome your support.

George Ayoub
Director of Development
giving@ssc.nsw.edu.au
+61 2 9745 0232

From the Director of Student Wellbeing 7-12

Lenten and other Dances at St Patrick’s College

The Director of Senior School at St Patrick’s College Strathfield has invited our students in Years 7 and 10 to their Lenten Dances which raise funds for their Lenten Appeal. We have emailed the families of Years 7 and 10 these invitations. Later in the year, the students of Years 8 and 9 will also receive similar invitations from St Patrick’s College.

In previous years the dances have been very popular, so much so, this year there will be enough tickets for all SSC students in the relevant Years to attend.

The dates for all the dances are:

Year 7 – Thursday 27 March

Year 10 – Friday 28 March

Year 8 – Thursday 24 July

Year 9 – Friday 25 July

We look forward to very enjoyable evenings for students from both the Colleges.

Elise Whiley
Director of Student Wellbeing 7-12

Health & Harmony Retreat

We are delighted to invite Years 6 – 8 mothers and daughters to our overnight Health and Harmony retreat, to be held at our picturesque Tallong Campus on Saturday 24 May from 10:00am to Sunday 25 May at 2:00pm. 

The weekend retreat will focus on creating positive and strong connections between mother and daughter, with wellness at the forefront. Bestselling author, teen educator, speaker and media commentator Danielle Miller will provide a keynote address. Families will also participate in activities including: bushwalking, yoga, wellness activities, and, of course, conversation and connection around the warm, winter fireplace. 

The cost for each participant is $350. The cost is inclusive of cabin accommodation, delicious meals and all activities. Places are limited and tickets are on sale now for families who have not participated before. From 1 April, booking will be open to all mothers and daughters in Years 6-8, regardless of whether they joined us at the last Health and Harmony Retreat.

Paulina Skerman
College Principal

Music in the Senior School (Curricular)

Our Year 11 HSC Music students have been engaging in an exciting exploration of the connections between contemporary popular music and Baroque traditions. Through analysis and performance, they are uncovering how compositional techniques from historical periods continue to influence modern music in new and innovative ways.

We are also looking forward to our Australian Composers Day on Monday 7 April, where elective music students from Years 9 to 12 will have the opportunity to be inspired by some of Australia’s leading composers. The workshops and seminars will provide invaluable insights into contemporary art composition and help students develop their own unique creative voices. Please note that though students all over the state will join us for this day, Santa Sabina students do not need to register via trybooking and you will attend free of charge.

Meanwhile, our junior music students have been developing their performance skills. Our Year 7 students are learning to play the tunes of popular songs on xylophones, while Year 8 have begun their performance unit on guitar, focusing on learning basic chords and reading tablature.

These hands-on experiences are not only strengthening students’ technical skills and musical understanding but also making learning music an engaging and enjoyable journey.

Veronica Tsang & Jameson Choe
Acting Co-Heads of Curricular Music 5-12

More Music…

Click below to find out more about Music Events and Co-curricular opportunities at Santa Sabina College.

AI in RE

Magisterium Ai is a new tool created by the Catholic Church that mimics the ability of other Artificial Intelligence technologies. The difference is that Magisterium searches only the documents of the Church. If you need information about anything to do with the Church and its teachings, it is a more reliable tool than other AIs that search the whole of the internet – and may use unreliable sources to produce a response. 

Recently students in RE 8.5, were asked to discuss the importance of the cross as a symbol for Christians throughout history. There were some thoughtful offerings from the class that revealed an understanding of how the symbol has changed over time. The responses from Olivia Pisani and Estelle Gilmovich show how well some Year 8 students can express their knowledge! 

After sharing some responses and discussing what should be included in their writing, I introduced the students to Magisterium AI, to compare their writing with an example created from Church sources. Magisterium’s first attempt was far too academic and abstract, but when I instructed it to ‘Simplify for Year 8 students’, the second version was a model of how to respond to the question. It provided the students with an opportunity to compare their writing to an excellent model. We discussed the clear opening statement, progression of the argument and clear concluding paragraph, as well as the key idea that the cross had moved from being associated with shame and punishment to a symbol of hope and resurrection.  

Many people are worried that students will use AI to avoid the work required to build knowledge and skills through writing. Our exploration in Year 8 shows how the technology can be used to strengthen skills, not replace them. 

Jane Sulis
Outreach Coordinator

Industry Partnerships – 2025 HSIE Business Breakfast

Seventy-six Years 11 and 12 HSC Business Studies and IB Business Management students accepted the invitation to attend the 2025 HSIE Business Breakfast. The keynote speaker was the dynamic Annabel Hay of Shark Tank Australia fame. Annabel is the innovative founder and CEO of Clutch Glue, a sustainable liquid fashion adhesive which has a massive presence on social media and has expanded into the domestic consumer market through stores such as Priceline and future growth into the Middle East and product development.

Industry partnerships are important in the application of classroom knowledge to authentic real world challenges and to understand the importance of innovation in business. Annabel’s interactive session unpacked real world experiences which align with the HSC and IB curriculums such as identifying market gaps, product development and the challenges of entrepreneurship. A huge thank you to Mrs Cummins for her contribution to the organisation of this event.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE

Student Reflections

It was a great opportunity to connect what we learned in class to a real-life experience. At the 2025 HSIE Business Breakfast Amabelle taught us that we never stop learning and everything we learn in life can be applied to all our experiences.
Sabella Youssef
Year 11

Annabelle Hay’s presentation on Clutch Glue at the Business Breakfast was both engaging and insightful, showcasing her creative approach to overcoming business challenges. Her expertise and passion for entrepreneurship left me with a deeper understanding of what it takes to lead and innovate in today’s market.
Madison Younes
Year 11

It was an amazing opportunity to listen and connect with Annabelle Hay, her insights were not only inspiring but also incredibly practical, offering valuable advice that I could apply to real life and in my exams. The Business Breakfast was a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and gain fresh perspectives from someone so knowledgeable in the field.
Monique Tsabalas
Year 12

Annabel’s keynote address was both inspiring and educational, showcasing her deep understanding of the business and its innovative approach to problem-solving. As the owner of Clutch Glue, she shared valuable insights into the challenges and successes of running a business, leaving me with a greater appreciation for her entrepreneurial vision and leadership.
Eva Villarroel
Year 11

Global Connections – Santa Kopanang Connect

Santa Kopanang Connect is an HSIE co-curricular activitiy which is an e-commerce real world startup within the ethical space of social enterprise. This HSIE project was designed in response to students’ real world social justice questioning and desire to build authentic positive global connections. Santa Kopanang Connect explicitly aligns with the Dominican values of global diversity, social impact, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Gender Equity.

The aim of this project is for Santa students to ignite innovation, grow technological literacy and proficiency and build a website to sell the products made by the women of Kopanang. Santa Kopanang Connect is an opportunity for students to take global action, develop entrepreneurial skills, and through creative and critical thinking to provide future-focused solutions.

Thanks to the generosity of our student community and the success of Santa Style, at the College Assembly students presented Sr Sheila with a $500 donation from the proceeds of the Santa Style 2024 sales. This donation was received by Sr Sheila and used to fund the work of women and their families at Kopanang and is part of the Santa Kopanang Connect project.

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE (Humanities and Social Sciences)

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Information Evening

#60 for 60

This month our school community is participating in So They Can’s 1HumanRace #60for60 Challenge. So They Can is a not-for-profit organisation that is doing vital work supporting girls’ fundamental rights to safety and education in Kenya and Tanzania. The organisation is supporting the at-risk girls in those communities, through education and empowerment projects, to break out of the cycle of poverty and child marriage. 

On Tuesday 4 March, Emily Whitehouse, Partnership Manager at So They Can joined us at assembly and we heard about the work they are doing around gender equality in Kenya and Tanzania. It was also encouraging to hear some of the 1HumanRace #60for60 challenge ideas that Emily provided us with an understanding of how we can act to change this situation. 

Support us this March by joining the 1HumanRace #60for60 Friday Challenge on 14 and 28 March. Students from Gioia House and the senior campus will take part in physical or mindful challenges, all revolving around the number ’60’. The reason for ’60’ is that 60% of teenage girls are still at risk of child marriage. Participating students will be able to wear their sports uniform in exchange for a $2 gold coin. There will be both physical activities held at the Basketball Courts (e.g. hold plank position for 60 seconds) and mindful activities (e.g. 60 girls making origami butterflies) held at St Elizabeth’s during lunchtime. 

Additionally, students can further challenge themselves – and involve family and friends – by participating in fundraising throughout March. There is a QR code on the poster below that will lead you to a page where you can join in an activity and do 60 of something, for example, swim 60 laps or walk 60 minutes a week or cycle 60 kms to raise funds. There is an opportunity for each one of you to support and help raise funds for this worthy cause! Donate by clicking on this link: Santa Sabina College – 1HumanRace 2025 | So They Can 

Imagine a world where gender equality is not just a dream but also a reality for everyone. This future is within our reach, but only if we act together through initiatives like 1HumanRace championing girls and women’s rights and standing up against injustice – we can play a vital role and actively do something to bring meaningful change. We can collectively work for rights, equality, and empowerment for ALL women, which is the International Women’s Day campaign theme this month: ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ 

This is also an excellent opportunity to support and challenge one another so come along and bring your friends. All funds raised will go towards helping change the lives of young girls in East Africa and give them hope for a future free from poverty, violence and safe from child marriage. We encourage you to spread the word and participate on both Fridays to make a difference. Every donation counts! 

Charlotte Brown
Year 10

Year 9 PASS incursion – GOALBALL

What is Goalball?

Goalball is a team sport designed for the blind and vision impaired, however, sighted athletes can also play. The object of the game is to roll the ball into the opponent’s goal while the opposing players try to block the ball with their bodies. The unique challenge is that all athletes are completely blindfolded! Bells inside the ball help orientate the players by indicating the direction of the oncoming ball.

It ‘the great equaliser’ because it can be enjoyed equally by sighted and vision athletes alike. 

This term, Year 9 PASS has participated in goalball incursions with ‘Bring It On Sports’. Throughout the sessions, the instructors taught us some basic skills. We went over aiming and rolling the ball to our classmates, the basic rules of goalball and practiced our goal shooting. Next, the instructors made the game more difficult by adding in the blindfolds. We played a 3 vs 3 game, which was a lot harder, as we couldn’t see the ball and had to rely on hearing alone to defend our goal. It was really funny seeing everyone scramble and dive the wrong way and try out game tactics whilst blindfolded, which proved to be more difficult than we expected. We really enjoyed learning this game and adapting it in different ways so that it was an inclusive game that can be taught and played by many different abilities and diverse people. By having the opportunity to learn this game in class, I hope in future to be able to include others when participating in sport, and to learn a variety of other inclusive games. 

Mikayla Zec and Jade Dominis
Year 9 

Year 9 Solidarity Program

As a part of Year 9’s Religion unit: Living the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes and the College Spirituality and Service Day Program, Year 9 has had the privilege of visiting Catholic Care Disability Services, Lakemba in small groups. 

Catholic Care Disability Services is an organisation dedicated to providing essential support and services to adults with disabilities. They offer a wide range of programs aimed at enhancing the lives of those they serve, and our visit gave us a firsthand look at the incredible work they do. This place is a platform where people with disabilities have the option to work and they have recently opened a coffee shop called BariStars which is a mobile café, custom built to give CatholicCare Disability participants valuable hospitality employment skills. While barista-made coffee and food will be the focus, BariStars provides innovative learning opportunities for people living with a disability. 

At the start, many of us felt a bit unsure and unprepared. We didn’t quite know what to expect or how we would connect with the people at Catholic Care. However, our initial apprehension quickly dissolved. As we began interacting with the residents, we found ourselves not only welcomed but also deeply engaged in meaningful conversations. We learned about their daily challenges, triumphs, and the resilience that defines their lives. By the end of our visit, our initial nervousness had transformed into a sense of joy and fulfillment. We were not only happy but also deeply educated about the lives and experiences of people with disabilities. We made new friends, shared laughter and stories, and our perspectives were broadened in ways we never anticipated.  

Throughout the day we spent time talking to the participants, learning about their lives, interests, and experiences. These conversations were eye-opening and heartwarming. We worked with them on activity worksheets that provided a structured way for us to interact and learn together.

Through this program we gained a better understanding of the people with these disabilities and their ability to persevere through all the challenges that they face everyday. We learnt that despite their disabilities they are just as capable of living a life of happiness and joy and they each have unique talents that should be recognised. The program enabled us to learn first hand that despite any physical or intellectual disability all people are worthy of our respect, dignity and companionship

Anastasha Harris 
Sophie Hickey
Jessica Caristo 
Deanna Buric
Year 9

Supererogation and other ethical dilemmas

On 19 February, the 2024 Middle School Ethics Olympiad final took place. Our Santa Sabina ‘maroon’ team proudly progressed to this stage after securing a Silver Medal in one of the NSW divisions last year.

This experience allowed students to challenge themselves with thought provoking ethical dilemmas and a slew of new and challenging discussion points. Students interacted with peers from across Australia and the world, including teams from Hong Kong and New Zealand. Our team of five students worked hard, doing their best, and placed in the top 20 teams, gaining new knowledge and a sense of accomplishment.

‘A memorable moment was during the feedback session in the second round, which veered off track and led to a discussion on supererogation – a thought-provoking concept that was new to us.‘
Tanvi Chava

It is this chance for students to be challenged and to receive authentic feedback from university philosophers and ethicists that leads to real growth in our students. Every competition that they enter gives them a little bit more perspective. 

If you’d like to get involved in the Middle School Ethics Olympiad, the 2025 rounds will be held in November, with sign-ups starting at the beginning of Term 3. If the prospect of competing against others, learning their ideas and views, and working as a group is appealing to you, consider joining.

Matthew Mountford
Dean of Gifted Education

A special thanks to Kate Pitman-Fernandez ​​and Eve Ardagna for coaching the team and to Amelie McKee and Tanvi Chava for helping to draft this article. 

Year 7 Outdoor Education Experience

The Year 7 Outdoor Education Experience took place at Tallong recently. It was a new style of program with half the cohort attending for three days each. The program was aimed at creating lifelong memories at Tallong and for students to build new friendships amongst their new peers. The students will be with each other for the next six years and the strong bonds that are formed will build the foundation for their time at school.

Outdoor Education is aimed at learning about the self, others and the environment in a new context outside of the classroom. Students engage with new challenges and experiences to enhance their wellbeing, challenge themselves, build teamwork skills and to have fun! This program delivered on these learning outcomes as students participated in canoeing, low ropes, group challenges and mountain biking skills. The students were engaged in all these activities and they often talked about how much they enjoyed mountain biking!

As the students progress through the Outdoor Education Experience program at Santa Sabina, they are developing new outdoors skills each time. In Year 7, the students kit up and put on a hiking pack to participate in the camping expedition at Tallong. It is a great introduction for the students as they hike to their campsites, setup tents, cook on trangias and (best of all!) have a campfire with their friends. These simple adventures in the outdoors are important for students to simply enjoy the beauty around them and what Tallong has to offer.

New this year was the House Adventure Race. There was a set of activities that each House participated in and each group selected students that best suited that skills set. There were problem solving, mountain biking, stick tower building and navigating challenges. At each challenge, the group was collecting items for a campsite to set up for their teacher to have a cup of tea!

I wish to thank all the teachers, Year 10 Outdoor Education Leaders and Outdoor Staff who supported the program. It was a great success and I appreciate all your efforts supporting the program.

Chris Walker
Coordinator of Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning

Careers Spotlight @ SSC

Work Experience Spotlight

Over the summer break, Kelly Ghali had the opportunity to partake in an overseas health internship and volunteer program through the organisation, Projects Abroad. Below is her reflection on the experience.

During the summer holidays, I had the opportunity to attend a 1 week long Public Health Internship in Cambodia facilitated through the company Projects Abroad. During my stay, I not only got to learn new medicinal practices, but also got to experience an incredible culture and do some sightseeing of some of the most famous temples and museums, not to mention riding in a tuktuk. The internship was comprised of two components. The first part involved preparing educational campaigns that could later be presented to younger children in prep and primary schools. The campaigns were about topics such as hygiene, exercise, and healthy eating habits. The second part of the internship involved going out into rural communities to offer vital health check ups for vitals such as heart rate, oxygen levels, temperature, glucose levels, cholesterol levels, and uric acid levels. I enjoyed this part of the internship more as I was able to both interact with the local community while also learning valuable new medical skills. Overall, I really enjoyed this experience as it opened my eyes to important aspects related to working in health whilst also being able to explore a new country that was extremely rich in culture.
Kelly Ghali
Year 12

UCAT & Medical Entry update

UCAT bookings for 2025 now open

Bookings Close 16 May

Registrations to sit UCAT 2025 are now open. The 2025 UCAT ANZ must be sat between 1 July and 5 August 2025.

https://www.ucat.edu.au/register/booking-your-test

Changes to UCAT for 2025

The UCAT ANZ test is changing in 2025. The Abstract Reasoning subtest will be withdrawn from the test. The new test format will comprise 3 cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning), and the Situational Judgement Test.

Check out the link below for more details.

https://www.ucat.edu.au/about-ucat-anz/ucat-anz-2025

UCAT 2025 Key Dates

Candidates taking the UCAT ANZ in 2025 for entry to universities in Australia and New Zealand in 2026 should note these key dates. We do not make exceptions to these deadlines.

• 4 March – bookings open
• 9 May – concession application deadline
• 16 May – booking deadline and access arrangement deadline
• 30 May – late booking deadline and late access arrangement deadline
• 6 June – final late booking deadline
• 11 June – cancellation deadline
• 1 July – testing begins
• 5 August – last testing date
• Early September – results delivered to universities

Timeline for Medical Entry 2025/26

Getting into medicine is a complex process. It’s not just about your academic performance, you also need to succeed in UCAT and interviews. There are many important deadlines that students need to be aware of. This blog outlines the key dates and tasks to keep students on track.

https://www.medentry.edu.au/blog/timeline-for-medical-entry

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Click here for the upcoming careers events and opportunities occurring over the next few weeks. Two particular events coming up that are worth highlighting for parents are listed below. In addition, there are a number of exciting, interactive and face to face workshops happening in the April school holidays. Many of these are free to attend, however, places are limited so I encourage students to register as soon as possible to secure their place. Click here to see the upcoming holiday careers events and opportunities.

Year 11 Parents and Carers’ Webinar

Organisation: University of Wollongong
Location: Online
Date: 17 March 2025

You play a key role in guiding your teen through their university journey. Join our informative webinar to learn about the UOW Early Admission program, the significance of Year 11 results, and how to help them choose a degree that aligns with their strengths and passions. Our experts will walk you through the process, provide valuable insights, and answer your questions so you can provide support with confidence.

Find out more and register

Career Conversations @ Home – helping parents have positive career conversations

Organisation: Arrive & Thrive
Location: Online
Date: 20 March 2025

Join Tyson Day, the Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator of Arrive & Thrive, as he shares the best way to have impactful career conversations in and around your home environment that produce clarity, career discovery, and momentum. Tyson will share concepts and practices that he has learned through his 10+ years of experience in career education and the 85,000 students who have attended Arrive & Thrive workshops since 2019.

In the webinar, you can expect to learn:

• how can you positively influence your young person in their career decisions
• how can you effectively navigate the future of work and understand your young person’s options
• how to communicate effectively through the GROW model to support your young person in career exploration.

All participants will receive a Career Conversation Kit to kick off conversations with their young person as soon as possible.

Find out more and register

Eva Guirguis
Head of Future Pathways and Partnerships

Fieldwork Learning – Year 8 Geography

Year 8 students undertook real world learning to investigate water as a resource in Sydney. Students travelled to The Rocks to engage in geographical fieldwork and gather primary research on the topic ‘Water in the World’. Students were asked to investigate the nature of water scarcity, the need for sustainable water management and discover the value of water and the perceptions that different groups in society have about water. A huge thank you to all the Geography teachers who supervised this fieldwork.

Student Reflections

Visiting The Rocks was an incredible experience. We were given an amazing opportunity to learn about the history of water use in Sydney. We were able to see the original water supply and understand the history behind it, which was an eye-opening experience. We learnt many things about colonisation, the tank stream, the struggle with water scarcity and much more. It was a great educational excursion, as it allowed us to partake in activities, whilst learning.
Isla Socratous
Year 8

I enjoyed the fieldwork in The Rocks. It was fascinating to learn about Sydney’s water history and to see in person the places where civilization began all those years ago. This excursion was truly an exhilarating experience, and I hope everyone has the opportunity to participate in it.
Zahra Triulcio
Year 8

Our Geography fieldwork excursion was a truly memorable experience, which deepened my understanding of the history of Sydney’s water. It made me appreciate the richness of Sydney’s history, from the Tank Stream to today. It was a great way to explore the way that water shapes our lives.
Jess Price
Year 8

Brigida Zagora
Head of HSIE

Off to a great start with 2025 Action Research 

We’re very excited to kick off another year of Action Research at Santa Sabina. After a quick refresher on the process of collecting evidence to measure and improve our professional practices, teachers gathered in their groups to identify the challenges they will tackle this year along with the baseline data and success criteria they will be using to measure the impacts of their interventions. With a range of preliminary topics including: Strategies to increase intraprofessional learning within the Maths faculty, Experimenting with AI language models to reduce teacher workload and Increasing the use of multimedia to enhance theatre storytelling in Drama, it promises to be another year of ongoing professional growth and improved student outcomes. Watch this space!

Kate Corcoran
Action Research Coordinator

Maths help

Assistant Head of Gioia House

CYBERSAFETY TALK

This week, the Gioia House students listened to a presentation on Cybersafety and Healthy Relationships, led by Sergeant Jim from the Burwood Police Area Command. Sergeant Jim discussed ways students can be safe and smart when online. He spoke about the importance of privacy and not sharing personal photos or information when online and respecting personal boundaries. 

Sergeant Jim showed the students a couple of short clips and asked them to identify any ‘red flags’, the girls were able to respond with the correct observations and understood why we shouldn’t share personal details such as our home address, photos in our school uniform or real name as we are never sure who we are speaking to online. 

The use of social media was also discussed and reminded the students that the age restriction is 13 years and above on all social media apps. He stressed the importance of all children who are under that age and using social media need to ensure their parents are helping them navigate and monitor their use, as content isn’t always age appropriate for children under 13 years of age. He also stressed the importance of children not having devices in their bedrooms and encouraged them to leave devices in their loungerooms where parents are present and shared that ‘throughout his career, nothing good has ever happened after 9:00pm’. He stressed the importance of open communication with their parents.

Sergeant Jim encouraged the girls to always be upstanders and tell trusted adults when they see something that is not right, especially if they are part of group chats. He also spoke about bullying, clearly distinguishing the difference between defining what bullying is and how this is different to someone being mean that day. He reminded the students ‘Bullying is when someone hurts, harms or humiliates someone over and over again’ and the importance of telling someone when they have not been treated respectfully.

This was a very informative session for the students and provided them with appropriate tips and information to ensure they are safe online. At the conclusion of the presentation, we were impressed by the responses the students gave in ways they can continue to be safe when online, and reach out to trusted adults when issues arise.

FRIENDSHIP PLEDGE

During our Action Girl Pastoral lessons, the Gioia House students focused on the topic of friendships. Students identified what qualities they admire in a friend and also what type of friend they are to others. Research shows us that friendship plays a vital role in a student’s wellbeing, personal growth and academic success. Therefore, it is important for students to be aware of what qualities they appreciate in others, as well as what qualities they want to display towards their peers. Students wrote the Friendship Pledge and identified the characteristics they will display towards others. Some of the qualities the students wrote were: Be inclusive, kind, respectful, be a good listener and be supportive. We will continue to look at healthy relationships, responsible digital citizenship and effective communication during our Pastoral lessons. 

OUTREACH – CARITAS

 Each term, we encourage the Gioia House students to focus on ways they can make a difference in our world. During the season of Lent, we continue to focus on praying for our family, friends and the people around our world who need our prayers. The students take part in fasting by giving up one of their favourite foods and we also call on the students to give alms and identify ways they can help others in need. 

During our Ash Wednesday Liturgy, the students watched Caritas videos, which raised awareness of people around our world who do not have clean water to drink and communities where education provides people with the opportunity to learn and is a privilege. Students have been asked to think about how they can help contribute towards raising much needed funds for Caritas – Project Compassion. 

The Gioia House students will be hosting a Bake & Treat Sale on Wednesday 19 March. Students have been asked to donate nut-free cupcakes, slices or lolly bags. Please bring the baked goods or treats in a disposable container or box and make sure the ingredients list is attached to the item. Thank you in advance for supporting this very worthy cause. We know the students enjoy a sweet treat and we hope to raise as much money as possible.

Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House

Music at Gioia House (Curricular)

Gioia House Music Classes

Music classes in Gioia House are a time when we come together in our core classes to develop the students’ understanding of performing, listening to and identifying musical concepts. This is done through listening activities, score analysis, performing and evaluating music of various genres. Currently we are taking a close look at the repertoire we are singing at the Gala Concert, particularly This Song, to identify signs and symbols within the score. This also helps when students are learning to read music in Instrumental time, and ensures they are confident in knowing what is written in the music.

Gioia House Choral 

Whether in our College liturgies, masses or assemblies, working in year group sectionals or combined as a Year 5/6 Choir, it has been delightful to hear the beautiful singing of our Gioia House girls as they grow in confidence singing together. Their work in our weekly Choral time has been very pleasing as they diligently work towards precision and musicality in all they do. Get excited for our Gala concert in June! 

Supporting resources for the Gioia House Choral program can be found on Veritas Online, and this will be updated across the coming term.  We notice lots of girls have already visited the page – and we encourage all Gioia House students to check back frequently to see what has been added to support their learning.

Gioia House Instrumental  

The Gioia House Instrumental Program is well and truly underway. Year 6 Mini Maestros had their first band session as a year group. The focus of the band sessions is for each student to understand and get a feel for what it is like to perform as part of a larger ensemble with many different instruments. We are hoping that Year 6 develops the confidence to join the College Concert Band that will perform at the Gala Concert. The Strings program is busy preparing their repertoire for the Gala Concert.

The Year 5 Instrumental program has had a really positive start. In Year 5 Strings, the students are split between beginners and established players. The beginners receive tailored instruction in group lessons with the aim of joining the established players. The Year 5 Mini Maestros will mainly focus this year on learning their instruments in their groups with a focus on technique and ability to read music.

Veronica Tsang & Jameson Choe
Acting Co-Heads of Curricular Music 5-12

More Music…

Click below to find out more about Music Events and Co-curricular opportunities at Santa Sabina College.

What’s happening in Year 6

6CORE3 – Science Plants

This term, our Year 6 students have been diving into the fascinating world of habitats and adaptations. In small groups, students have taken on the responsibility of nurturing a plant. During the first two weeks, they focused on ensuring their plants received adequate water and sunlight.

Now, the real experiment begins! Students will explore how different habitats affect plant growth by manipulating six independent variables, including sunlight, water, and water type (e.g., acidic or salty). We are thrilled to see the students’ curiosity and investigative skills in action as they delve deeper into this exciting project in the coming weeks.

Sian Tierney
Year 6 Teacher

6CORE4 

This term Year 6 has been working on a picture book task that incorporates an image that symbolises Hope. The plot was developed in class and students created their picture book focusing on how the image and words were placed across their pages. They enjoyed being creative and look forward to sharing their stories with their peers.

Ann Milicic
Year 6 teacher

Year 6 Maks/Dunphy

Picture Book Publishing

As a culmination of the Year 6 study into imagery, symbolism and connotation, the girls created their own picture books, demonstrating an understanding of their own authorial choice to use symbols to express meaning and emotion.

They were tasked with using their own symbol to represent Hope, told through a cohesive and creative storyline. They planned, created text and images, edited and published their story to ensure that their message was effectively communicated.

Eamonn Dunphy and Marisa Maks
Year 6 teachers

Drama in Year 6

During Drama lessons we have been exploring what drama is and the excitement of drama. Then we watched Dreamtime stories and we wrote a script using these as inspiration and presented them to the class today. We have also been looking at Fables and are presenting these in drama lessons as well. There have been lots of drama games involving improvisation as well. We are enjoying every lesson. 
Perla and Aiden

Leonie Trees
Year 6 teacher

What’s happening in Year 5

5CORE1

Students have enjoyed participating in games to consolidate their understanding of mathematical concepts. They had fun working together to solve problems and embrace new challenges. We have also been broadening our knowledge about the history of Santa Sabina and exploring our identity as a part of Interdisciplinary studies.  Students created an infographic telling the college’s story as they engaged with the values of their community. 

Alison Di Ciaccio
Year 5 Teacher

5CORE2

As part of the Interdisciplinary Unit ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, Year 5 students visited the school museum. Students examined artefacts from the history of Santa Sabina. They were able to identify how the school had changed as well as make connections stating how these artefacts linked to the school’s identity. The students were fascinated by the old uniforms, colour house flags and metal hair brush along with many other primary sources of information.

Wendy Anetter
Year 5 Teacher

5CORE3

During our maths lessons, students are engaging in a range of mathematical concepts and to start their lessons, are participating in daily reviews. Students enjoy the quick pace of the review and their ability to respond to questions quickly. This engages the students for their lesson and allows them to reignite their previous knowledge on concepts like whole number, addition and subtraction and place value. Check out the photo of the class showing numbers greater than or smaller than using their arms as the mathematical symbols.

Bryony Watkins
Year 5 Teacher

Year 5 Kostakis

Explore our Santa Sabina community

This term, Year 5 Kostakis have been delving into what makes the Santa Sabina community so special. They have been tasked with understanding and illustrating our community’s identity by examining several key aspects. These include what unites us as a community, the various initiatives we participate in, our shared values and beliefs, the diversity within our community, and the strong sense of belonging we all feel. Through this exploration, students are learning about the importance of inclusivity and mutual support, and they are discovering ways we can continue to thrive together. Their work highlights the unique and vibrant nature of our Santa Sabina community.

Tayla Kostakis
Year 5 Teacher

Gifted Education & Curriculum

This year we are introducing The Young Scientist competition as our new enrichment co-curricular activity. Last week our resident scientist, Cara Brigham, held an introductory session for the Young Scientist Competition. Cara will mentor small groups of students across the primary campuses as they conduct a scientific investigation or develop a working model. 

Teachers at Gioia House have welcomed the opportunity to participate in the Primary Numeracy Project through AIS. This year-long initiative integrates professional learning, targeted assessments, teacher reflection, and mentoring to elevate teaching and learning practices, aligning with the updated NSW Mathematics syllabus.

As part of this project, teachers have honed their approach to the Daily Review in mathematics, boosting student engagement while revisiting previously taught concepts. The Daily Review not only consolidates students’ understanding but also enhances their fluency in key numeracy skills, providing a strong foundation for future learning.

Brooke Panagopoulos
Gifted Education Coordinator P-6
Year 2 Teacher/Acting Curriculum Leader Gioia House

Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Curriculum Leader P-4

Pastoral Update

Friendship is kindness in the Jubilee Year of Hope

You may recall from previous Veritas Voice publications that Del Monte began the year with the pastoral theme, Everyone Belongs and Building Connections. Over the past few weeks, students have delved more deeply into practical ways to enhance their connections with others by investigating kindness as a vehicle for building strong relationships. This was explored through the pastoral theme, Friendship is Kindness. Research shows that children who are kind to others are more socially accepted and experience enhanced wellbeing. In other words, children who are kind, are more well-liked by their peers, have stronger connections in their friendship circles and enjoy improved wellbeing. 

Three of the key lessons students have learned is that kindness is a choice, being kind to others strengthens our relationships, and being kind on purpose (intentional kindness) helps us feel good about ourselves. By choosing kind words, using gentle hands, interacting with kindness, and displaying kind body language in the playground, classroom, and at home, we build trust and demonstrate respect.

As we celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, Pope Francis encourages us to search for signs of hope in everyday life – through acts of kindness, a friendly smile, or expressions of gratitude. May we encourage intentional kindness in our children and in ourselves; that we all may BE signs of hope through our kind actions, words, and appreciation for the kindness we encounter.

Respectful Relationships

Our Friendship is Kindness theme paved the way for our third pastoral theme for 2025, Respectful Relationships. This theme focused on embedding a culture of respect and equality across the school community. 

Respectful relationships are fundamental to creating a positive and inclusive school environment. These relationships are built on mutual respect, understanding, and empathy. Whilst exploring this pastoral theme, students learned to recognise the importance of treating others with kindness, listening actively, and valuing diverse perspectives. Fostering these values, also helps to equip children with the skills to resolve conflicts peacefully, communicate effectively, and build strong, supportive friendships. In our school community, we emphasise the significance of respect and equality, ensuring that every child feels valued and included. 

Teachers used picture books to provoke thoughtful discussions and activities to dive deeply into practical ideas and strategies students can use to develop empathy and understanding, resolve conflict, process big emotions and step outside their comfort zone. Some of the books used include Lionel and Me by Corrine Fenton & Tracie Grimwood and Respect, written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson, and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy.

Lauren Petroni
Assistant Head of Primary P-4 and Curriculum Leader P-4

RE in Del Monte

Lent

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection on Jesus’ life and suffering for humankind. We are called to grow closer to Jesus every day as we live in prayer, almsgiving, and sacrifice. Let us pray for one another and the healing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Prayer for Lent

God of all life, You bring us together by your love.
As we enter the Season of Lent, 
You call us to greater justice and care for our common home.
You call us to help bring about a world where all can live in peace.
Bless our efforts this Lent, to walk humbly with you as we Unite Against Poverty and put our faith into action.
May our Lenten pilgrimage of fasting, almsgiving and prayer bring us closer to your loving heart.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Brother.
Amen

Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Appeal

Project Compassion is Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal, where we come together in solidarity with the world’s poor to help end poverty, promote justice, uphold dignity, and be a source of hope to others. The theme of Project Compassion is ‘Unite against Poverty’, working in unity for the freedom of the oppressed and the renewal of creation. 

After our Ash Wednesday liturgy last week, each class received a Project Compassion box to take home. This money box serves as a reminder to us all to keep our brothers and sisters from around the world in our prayers and to think about what money we can go without in order to support them. 

Rosary during Lent

The Del Monte children are invited to join me in the Del Monte Chapel every Thursday and Friday during the first break for a special time of prayer and reflection. As we journey through Lent, the Rosary offers a meaningful way to deepen our faith and connect with the spiritual significance of this season. All children are welcome to participate.

Commissioning of our Primary Leaders

On Monday 3 March, we commissioned our new Primary leaders from Gioia House and the Del Monte campus. The ceremony was a beautiful and meaningful occasion, filled with joy and a sense of community.

Each student received a badge and a symbol representing our four pillars: Study, Service, Prayer, and Community. These badges and symbols serve as a reminder of their commitment to lead with integrity and dedication. We are incredibly proud of our new leaders and look forward to seeing them grow and make a positive impact in our school. Thank you to all the parents, teachers, and students who made this event a success.

St Patrick’s Feast Day

On 17 March we celebrate St Patrick’s Day. The life of St Patrick is such an interesting one and his association with the Irish people, combined with the enormous contribution the Irish convicts and settlers had on the establishment of the first colony. Just like St Patrick these early convicts and free men and women brought the Word of God to these early settlers. It is through these early Irish Catholics that the first Australian Church was established.

Prayer for St Patrick

Christ with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

St Joseph’s Feast Day

St Joseph’s Feast Day is celebrated on 19 March and is the principal feast day of St Joseph in Western Christianity. St Joseph is honoured due to him being an extremely faithful man all of his life. He was the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the father of Jesus on earth and took care of him as he grew up.

Prayer for St Joseph

Saint Joseph watch over me and
care for me just as you cared for the child Jesus.
By your help, may I come to know Jesus and
to grow in strength and
wisdom and the favour of God.
Saint Joseph pray for us.
Amen

Tina Nicotina
Religious Education Coordinator P-6

Music at Del Monte

Music at Mary Bailey House 

At Mary Bailey House, the year has started with some very excited students! We have a lot of new students that have moved into the Treefrogs room and it is lovely to see their smiley faces every Monday and Friday morning. 

Not only do we sing and move in music classes, various skills are developed such as group participation, listening skills, expressing emotions and improving balance and coordination. Research has shown that musical training can help children develop important cognitive skills. Skills such as memory, attention, and spatial reasoning. Additionally, movement activities such as dancing can help to develop their spatial awareness.

Some songs we are singing in class are Ten Fat Sausages, Going on a Bear Hunt and Five Cupcakes in the Bakers Shop, with many more to come!

Music at Del Monte 

Prep students have been exploring percussion instruments and the many different shapes and sizes and sounds they make. They were able to try out a selection of instruments and make loud or soft sounds.

Our oldest students in Year 4 are learning singing items for the Gala Concert. This involves looking at other languages and styles of music, which is challenging but fun! 

Phillipa Knight
Coordinator of Music P-4

More Music…

Click below to find out more about Music Events and Co-curricular opportunities at Santa Sabina College.

Year 4

In Week 5, our Year 4 students visited the Santa Sabina Tallong Outdoor Education Campus. The students had fun learning new skills and participating in new and exciting experiences such as mountain bike riding, high ropes, and camp fire cooking. It was wonderful to see our students trying new things, strengthening friendships and growing as learners, while maintaining our school values of community, service, prayer and study.

Student reflections about Tallong:

‘I really enjoyed mountain biking this year because we went through the obstacle course!’
DJ Abi-Hanna

‘I challenged myself on the high ropes and I am so proud!’
Andrea Khoury 

‘I loved the pancakes and pasta during camp. Thank you Cheffrey!‘
Valentina Nader

‘My favourite activity was mountain biking because we went on new trails!’
Armando Sulukojian

‘I faced my fears on the high ropes and got to the end!’
Charlotte Smolcic

‘My best memory on Year 4 camp is the campfire because I enjoyed toasting marshmallows with my friends!’
Evelyn Metledge 

Merissa Perivolarellis, Nicole Meehan, Calista Camarda, Edward Wang and Ella Reilly
Year 4 Teachers

Year 3

Year 3 are busy preparing for their NAPLAN testing which begins this week. We are so proud of their growing confidence in their abilities to approach a diverse range of questions and manage time as well as new technology. Year 3 students have been fortunate to benefit from the expertise of Sr Jill who has taught them the techniques of Christian Meditation in the Del Monte Chapel. This is part of the mental preparedness required in order to manage sustained focus during these tests. Students are building stamina in accomplishing NAPLAN style tasks. We are proud of their positive growth mindset attitudes. 

Louise Harris and Catherine McGrath
Year 3 Teachers

Year 2

Year 2 students were delighted to share the wonderful experience they have had this term, focusing on the importance of community and working together.

During the assembly last Thursday, Year 2 students performed a song about teamwork and working together. The song reminded us that when we join forces and help one another, we can achieve great things and make our community stronger. The children sang with enthusiasm and joy, and it was a heartwarming experience for everyone involved.

Thank you to all the families who joined us for the assembly and supported our students. Your presence made the event even more special, and we are grateful for your continued encouragement.

Year 2 team

Year 1 

The students in Year 1 have been learning about Baptism during Religious Education lessons and how the sacrament of Baptism is about being officially welcomed into the Church community. The three classes gathered together to learn about the symbols of Baptism and engaged in a storytelling session to learn about what happens when a baby is baptised.

Kelly Garcia, Erin Horne and Clare Wood
Year 1 Teachers

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten students are enjoying bringing the curriculum to life as they engage in a variety of learning activities and tasks.

Ash Wednesday marks the change in the Church’s liturgical season from Ordinary Time to Lent. To highlight this significant event, the cloth on the prayer table in each Kindergarten class was changed from green to purple to reflect the feelings associated with Lent. The students visited the Del Monte Chapel for our Ash Wednesday liturgy and discussed the importance of making good choices every day, just as Jesus did.

In English, the students are enjoying learning about narratives; stories that can be real or imagined. The focus has been on exploring the various features of narratives, including recognising the beginning, middle and end, and examining the characters and settings in a range of quality literature.

In Mathematics, the students have learnt about sorting objects according to different attributes and the features of patterns, that they repeat and can be continued. Currently, our measurement unit focuses on informal units of measurement in length, area, mass and volume. Many hands-on experiences enable the students to gain a deeper understanding of which unit of measure to use.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Anna Donato, Alana Ivancsik, Brooke Napper, Vicki Spillane
Kindergarten Teachers

Hands-on Learning Experiences in Prep

Over the past several weeks, the students in Prep participated in a variety of hands-on learning activities designed to spark curiosity about marine life. They found great joy in exploring a sensory ‘under the sea’ tray, which featured blue rice, kinetic sand and an assortment of plastic sea creatures.

The students have been learning to follow instructions from their teachers while collaboratively completing simple tasks, such as preparing playdough and making jelly. Using the playdough, they made two-dimensional shapes, reinforcing the concepts taught in Mathematics. The students eagerly took turns to mix both the playdough and the jelly, with much excitement over the prospect of taking their jelly home to enjoy. To celebrate, we sang and performed the actions to Jelly on a Plate.

Monique Evans and Rebecca Saba
Prep Teachers

Italian

For the last two weeks, students from all grades have been exploring ‘Carnevale’ (Carnival), a traditional festival that starts three days before Ash Wednesday, before the beginning of Lent. Students have researched the ways in which Italian communities celebrate with parades, masquerades, music and gather to feast before they fast for Lent. In Prep and Kindergarten, students have learnt about this tradition through storytelling focussing on the legend of  ‘Arlecchino’, while Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 have created some beautiful masks inspired by the work of Venetian mask-making artists. Everyone has enjoyed a virtual tour of Venice, the city of Carnival, and has loved watching the opening ceremony of Carnevale 2025 on the Grand Canal.

Daniela Panico
Italian Teacher

Gifted in Del Monte

This year, we have successfully reintroduced the practice of ability grouping for students from Kindergarten to Year 4. Our process is guided by assessments, which help us place students into smaller groups based on similar learning needs. Within these groups, students collaborate with a teacher to enhance their existing English skills, focusing on areas such as spelling, vocabulary, and phonics.

This year we are introducing The Young Scientist competition as our new enrichment co-curricular activity. Last week our resident scientist, Cara Brigham, held an introductory session for the Young Scientist Competition. Cara will mentor small groups of students across the primary campuses as they conduct a scientific investigation or develop a working model. 

Each week, groups of budding young mathematicians across Del Monte tackle challenging tasks designed to foster reasoning, justification, and rich mathematical discussions. Last week, they engaged in lively debates as they worked together to decipher mathematical clues and identify the chosen number.

Brooke Panagopoulos
Gifted Education Coordinator P-6
Year 2 Teacher
Acting Curriculum Leader Gioia House

Director of Music P-12

Music at Santa Sabina

One respected translation of Matthew 11:28-30 suggests humankind will be happiest when able to find ‘the unforced rhythms of grace’. Across the world, many descriptions of wellbeing and peace have ‘musical’ references. As we find ourselves in Week 6 of Term 1, we are indeed settling into the gentle rhythms of 2025, and a hope-filled year is starting to emerge upon this rhythm.

From our Senior students finding their daily and weekly rhythms of practice, study, and revision, to our ensembles with an international tour or prestigious concerts on the horizon, nestling into purpose and with a clear vision for the road ahead brings with it a comforting sense of both rhythm and grace that we trust to sustain us along the way.

Barkindji Songwoman Nancy Bates’ visit last week inspired us with fresh purpose. Some staff, community, and student leaders were privileged to preview Nancy’s new documentary SONGS INSIDE, which presents us with such a powerful exemplar for ways that Music can bring hope and healing in our world. New songs and sounds are sparking, and we are looking forward to launching these works for our community.

Contemporary Music Streams at Santa

Thanks to the students who attended the Contemporary Music and Industry Streams Launch last Thursday! It was an exciting kick-off with guest experts Mr Jason De Wilde and Mr Scott Dimmock joining us in Holyrood.

VIEW SLIDESHOW HERE

We are passionate about every Santa Sabina student having access to a Musical education, and welcome you to reach out if you missed this meeting and would like to find out more.

Open Recital Series

The first of our Open Recital Series for Semester One will be held this Friday 14 March in Holyrood Adams and we look forward to the students from our Private Tuition program that have signed up to perform to present their latest work for families and friends. These recitals take place each term, and we are thrilled to offer these positive performance experiences for students who are developing confidence in their craft and aspects of presentation. Thank you to our specialist tutors who prepare our students so diligently for this opportunity. There is still opportunity for students to sign up to our remaining recitals in Semester 1 – Friday 4 April, Friday 9 May and Friday 30 May.

Australian Composers Day 2025

We are excited to announce that on the final Monday of Term 1, Monday 7 April, Santa Sabina will again be hosting our acclaimed Australian Composers Day for 2025! Strategically intended to position our Elective Music students for life beyond Santa’s gates as composers and music-makers, though any any Year 7-12 Co-curricular Music student is welcome to register to join the event with the Music office at music@ssc.nsw.edu.au. 

NB: Santa Sabina students attend Australian Composers Day FREE of charge.

More information can be found on the Australian Composers Day Flyer HERE

We look forward to welcoming JESSICA WELLS, HEATHER SHANNON and PAUL STANHOPE as our mentors for the day.

Join a Music activity?

Though the year is well underway, we are pleased to say that there are still a few places available within our offerings. You can explore all the different opportunities and register for an Ensemble or Private Tuition via the Co-curricular Button on the College App or directly via this link:

Our mission is that every graduate will leave the Santa Sabina gates convinced of the value of music to their human experience, and empowered with ways to meaningfully engage with it for their whole lives!

Wishing our community a wonderful few weeks to come.

Amy Richardson
Director of Music P-12

More Music…

Click below to find out more all that is happening Music Curriculum at Santa Sabina College.

Director of Sport and Co-curricular

Term 1 has been flying by as our students are showing their passion and commitment to their sport and to all the activities the College offers.

We reached the point where most of our programs have started and teams have been selected for College Representation in Netball, Volleyball and Dance.

Representative Volleyball squads have been selected. This year, we will have more than 80 athletes across potentially eight teams representing the College in state competitions leading up to the Australian Schools Volleyball Cup on the Gold Coast in December.

Inner West Netball Association SSC Netball teams have been selected. This year we will have over 250 students participating in 27 teams across Years 2-12 playing in the competitions.

Ms Bryony Watkins in conjunction with her team have selected nine Dance teams across Primary and Senior Schools (growing the program in one team) to represent the College across all genres, during the Eisteddfods and interschool dance season. 

I was very pleased on Friday 28 February to accompany Olynda Lebeau (Year 11), Emily Morgan (Year 10) and Caitilin Brennan (Year 12) to the Sisters in Sport, Make your mark leadership day at Ascham School. They heard inspirational talks and were immersed in practical activities about setting and tracking goals in sport from Abbie, founder of HER WAY sports media; Katina Janev, Red Bull 3×3 Australian Champion and Personal Development coach; and Nat Burton Olympian, Australian Opal (Olympian) and Owner of Enriched Athletes.

Representative Sport

The College’s three representative Netball teams have been selected and are about to play the CGSSSA tournament at the Olympic Park Netball Central this week. Congratulations to the students listed here.)

I congratulate the students representing the College at the IGSA Tildesley Shield Tennis Tournament and wish them the very best of luck.

They will play singles and doubles matches at Pennant Hills Park from Wednesday,19 March to Friday 21 March:

Singles

Elyssa Jeitani, Year 9
Holly Cupples, Year 9
Clara Smolcic, Year 7
Ashley Duigenan, Year 8
Olivia Wu, Year 8
Giselle Jaajaa, Year 9
Claire D’Souza, Year 8
Grace Nasr, Year 7
Jess Arora, Year 8

Doubles

Maia Khoury, Year 10
Eva Villarroel, Year 11
Lucia Winters, Year 9
Lucinda Oong, Year 8
Sara Viggiani, Year 9
Elaine Fang, Year 9
Sienna Ryan, Year 8
Madison Rice, Year 8
Ivy Zeidan, Year 7
Ellena Kapetanakis, Year 7

Reserves

Leah Han, Year 7
Valentina Gittany, Year 7

Individual Students’ Achievements

Our Year 7 Triathlon Relay team (Freya Ingwersen Bike, Emily Ng Swimming and Alessandra Ronsisvale running) came 4th in the NSW All Schools Triathlon Championships (1st in the NSWCCC Region). Freya Ingwersen came 5th overall in the Junior Females (12-14yrs) making the NSW All Schools Triathlon Team  competing in the national competition in March in Rockingham, WA. Freya was 2nd in the NSWCCC region.

Public Speaking

I would like to congratulate Davina Rajikumar and Eve Ardagna who made it through to the finals of the CSDA Public Speaking Competition. 

The Grand Final will take place on Friday 14 March at Marist Catholic College, North Shore.

Luiz Ramalho
Director of Sport and Co-curricular Activities

Primary Sport

Conference 2 Swimming Championships

On Tuesday 25 February, 14 students across Years 3 to 6 competed at the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Swimming Championships held at Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, Lidcombe. All students represented the College with pride and produced some amazing results.

Congratulations to the following students who have progressed through to the Sydney Championships to be held at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Monday 24 March.

Year 6 – Genevieve Lloyd Jones, Grace Mackey, Charlotte McCarthy and Celine Nguyen

Year 5 – Romee Lee and Sophia Guo

Year 4 – Chloe Cruz, Isabel Horwood, Flynn Lee and Michaela Nguyen

A special mention to Romee Lee who broke three records on the day and to the Senior relay team (Romee, Genevieve, Charlotte and Grace) who smashed a 15-year-old Conference record by five seconds!

Conference 2 Soccer Trials

Congratulations to Ariana Cassimaty (Year 6), Lina D’Arrigo and Antonia Srdanovic (Year 5) who were selected into the Sydney Catholic Schools Conference 2 Soccer team. The girls will now trial for the Sydney team on Monday 31 March.

Coming up in Primary Sport (Term 1)

Monday 24 March       
SCS Sydney Swimming Championships

Friday 28 March            
Primary Cross Country Trials – EOI NOW OPEN

Monday 31 March       
SCS Sydney Soccer Trials

Tuesday 1 April                       
SCS Conference 2 Touch Football Trials

Wednesday 2 April     
Mackillop Swimming Championships

Friday 4 April                    
SCS Netball Championships Selection Trial- EOI OPENING SOON

Wednesday 9 April     
SCS Stage 2 Netball Gala Day- EOI OPENING SOON

Ryan Dunlop
Primary Sport Coordinator (P-6)

Meet our Continuous Reporting team

This edition’s ‘Meet the staff’ profile goes behind the scenes of our new reporting process

As Santa Sabina embraces technological innovations and educational improvements, 2025 has been the year when Continuous Reporting has been introduced. Operating for only a few weeks, the system will soon be providing immediate feedback to parents in real time. Continuous Reporting is known to lead to enhanced education outcomes.

Continuous Reporting at Santa Sabina is currently in place for students in Years 7 to 11, with plans to extend this to other Year levels in the future. This innovative approach offers several benefits:

• Timely feedback: Progress reports are issued upon task completion and assessment, enabling teachers and families to quickly identify areas for improvement.
• Online access: Results are accessible via the secure Veritas Online portal, with feedback posted approximately two weeks after task submission.
• More detailed data: Previously, student progress over time was measured only via the A-E grading system. More detailed data collection is now possible so that more nuanced support can be given to students’ learning.

Students (and their families) will soon be receiving weekly updates from teachers once tasks and assessments are completed. In mid-year, students will receive an end-of-semester report summarising their assessment tasks, a cumulative A-E grade for each subject, a pastoral report, attendance records, and a snapshot of co-curricular activities.

To provide timely feedback at the start of the academic year, Santa Sabina is also introducing a Term 1 Interim Report. This report will detail students’ work ethic and diligence. High performing students will receive Diligence Awards in Term 2.

Behind the implementation of Continuous Reporting has been a team of senior educators with diverse skill sets:

John Gilmore

Overseeing the project and ensuring alignment with educational goals has been our Deputy Principal Operations John Gilmore who has been working on the implementation of this system for two years. He instituted a similar system at another school and also spent the last two years researching the best option for Santa Sabina. His Bachelor of Business in Logistics and Operations has certainly been useful! For John, the end user experience is vital and he has put together a highly-qualified team which is focused on that outcome.

John is also a PDHPE teacher and keen rugby enthusiast. He has mostly adapted to life in NSW after moving from Queensland to take up the position at Santa Sabina although he still supports the Broncos in the NRL!

Jacqueline Pugh

Our Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning, Jacqueline Pugh, has a well-documented interest in assessment and data tracking and has worked alongside John in overseeing this important project. During her time as a Head of School in a girls school in Victoria, Jacqueline Implemented continuous reporting with great success. At Santa Sabina she somehow finds time to teach Visual Art and her experience is backed up with her Master of Instructional Leadership, a Bachelor of Teaching (Visual Arts) and Postgraduate Diplomas in Psychology and History. When not at work, Jacqueline reads the latest educational literature and autobiographies and creates her own art.

Tony Shen

Once Tony Shen, Dean of Data and Information Systems and teacher of Technology joined the staff of Santa Sabina in 2024, the technological requirements for implementing Continuous Reporting were stepped up and championed. With his Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering and extensive experience, Tony is responsible for integrating Continuous Reporting into VO and our Parent Lounge and liaising with parents on its operation – anyone who has consulted him will be well aware of his enthusiasm for the new system! Tony is committed to as much world travel as he can manage in school holidays, with family outside of Australia an important influence on his destinations.

Robert Graham

Our Dean of Administration, Robert Graham, is in charge of reporting and user experience, when not fine-tuning each day’s timetabling for the whole school or in the classroom teaching senior Physics. With a Master’s degree in Education, he sees the virtue of the new Continuous Reporting system as the ability to see real student performance not just raw marks.

‘Once we can see what the data tells us it can be used by teachers to design better learning experiences,’ he says.

Two little-known facts about Robert are his love of dogs and his determination to become a better drummer.

The progressive and ongoing feedback now in place thanks to this energetic team is improving the education outcomes for our students as well as the assessment protocols for use by our teachers.

Victoria Harper
Publications and Marketing

From the P&F Association

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind! Already half way through the term and the P&F Executive Committee have been working behind the scenes to fill up our social calendar!

P&F Association General Meeting

It was great to see many new faces attend the P&F Association General Meeting on 26 February. We hope that the parent representatives have reported back to their year groups on what activities and events that have been planned for the upcoming year by the school and the P&F Committee. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday,28 May 2025 and we hope to see as many of you there as possible.

For those who were unable to attend, the minutes will be posted on the P&F page in Veritas Online.

Mother’s Day Lunch

We are so excited to announce that the preparations for the Mother’s Day Luncheon is officially underway. Please mark your diaries for our very special event on 8 May 2025. See below for more details. Tickets are now available for sale and will sell out quickly. Buy your tickets individually or as a table of ten. Either way make sure you are there as this is not an event that you want to miss! 

Easter Art Fundraiser Competition – My Easter Story

Shortly you will receive an email about the joint initiative between the school and the P&F about our upcoming Easter Art Fundraiser Competition which will be open to all students from Prep to Year 6. This initiative provides a meaningful opportunity for students to express their creativity, reflect on the Easter story and support a great cause. More details to follow.

Year Group Gatherings

It has been a very busy time for our Parent Representatives with plenty of catch ups that have come and gone and more lined up in the coming weeks. Please see below your year group’s next event. We strongly encourage you all to attend these events as it is a chance to meet new families and strengthen the relationship you have with your existing families. The parent representatives work so hard behind the scenes to organise these events and they would appreciate your support.

Sustainable Threads

Our second-hand uniform collection is growing and we are planning a pop-up stall on both the Primary and Secondary Campuses on Tuesday 29 April. Keep a eye on our WhatsApp group chats for more information closer to the date!

Jumana Commisso
Communications Coordinator
P&F Committee

Upcoming Events

Mother’s Day Lunch – 8 May 2025

The Santa Sabina College Parents & Friends Association invite you to join us for our Mother’s Day special celebration with a spectacular waterfront luncheon at ECCO Drummoyne, situated amongst the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

This exclusive event is designed to bring our community together, honouring the incredible mothers, grandmothers, aunts, carers and mother figures who make our lives so special.

Inclusions: Welcome cocktail and canapes followed by an exquisite Italian inspired three-course lunch. Tickets are limited so don’t miss out.

We will have a few surprises on the day to make the day memorable & fun filled. 

Dads’ Night Out

Prep, Kindergarten, Year 5 & 7 dads – if you haven’t already purchased your ticket please do so as the tickets are selling out. It will be a great night for all the dads to relax, unwind and have some healthy competition.

📅 Date:     Friday 21 March 2025

⏰Time:       6:30pm for a 7:00pm start

📍 Location:     North Strathfield Kingpin Bowling

Cost:        $60 – includes 1 hour bowling, food and welcome drinks.

Trybooking link below

Year Group Catch Ups

Past events

International Women’s Day

On Thursday 6 March we celebrated International Women’s Day. The P&F together with the Ex-Students’ Association invited a panel of extraordinary ex-students and current parents who shared stories of success, setbacks and inspiration. The night was highly entertaining and engaging followed by some great food and even better conversations between the current students and alumni. The P&F proudly sponsored all SSC students in attendance by covering half of their ticket price. We are sure these students will now move through the rest of this year with a renewed energy to March Forward for ALL women and girls. Read below what they had to say about the event.

Thank you to our outstanding panellists, Paula Dunan AM, Amy Rixon, Bridget Clark, Annabel Cowley and Anne Salem as well as the hard working IWD committee.

Statements from students:

‘The IWD night was such a memorable and interesting experience. I enjoyed listening to the panellists’ inspiring stories and getting to learn all about their challenges and achievements. I especially enjoyed getting to hear from different perspectives of the speakers who all graduated from Santa at different times and now work in a mix of industries. I loved the sense of community from everyone past and present coming together as Santa celebrated International Women’s Day.’
Charlotte H
Year 11

‘On Thursday 6 March I was lucky enough to attend the IWD panel discussion. Following the theme of “March Forward” it was incredibly engaging and insightful listening to four extremely accomplished women share personal stories of how they have overcome obstacles and shared tips on how we as women can March Forward. We then had the opportunity to speak with the panellists one on one during refreshments and learn more about their journeys. I am so grateful I was able to participate in such an amazing event.‘ Evelyn L
Year 11

‘I thoroughly enjoyed attending the recent IWD event. The speakers provided great insights into gender equality and moving forward towards a greater future. This was a truly valuable experience that has enriched my understanding of the gender gap and paving the way for change as young women.’
Abigail M
Year 11

Year Group Catch Ups

The parent reps have been busy organising various catch-ups over the last few weeks. It is these gatherings that allow connections amongst parents and carers, and it creates a welcoming environment for both old and new friendships. These catch-ups provide such valuable support networks for everyone involved. Don’t forget to take those photos (just saying our Year 3 reps 🙂)

Our lovely Year 4 mums:

Our amazing Year 5 & 6 Mums & Gio 😉

Parent Education – Debra Brodowski

School Life

We’re now well and truly through the first half of Term 1 of the school year. Calendars are fast filling up with commitments and activities. I need to keep a master wall planner to ensure I try to keep on top of all the activities! I am so grateful though for all the opportunities that are on offer and I do encourage my children to explore, experiment, and try out different co-curriculars at school. I never had such an opportunity in my schooling experience and I can see the benefits that co-curriculars offer, be it sport, music, or joining one of the many co-curriculars on offer.

1. It builds social skills and forms friendships: co-curricular activities provide an opportunity for young people to interact with others outside their immediate peer group. It is a great way to foster inclusion and break down cliques. These interactions are also vital for developing social skills, teamwork, and empathy. Your young person learns to navigate social dynamics and develop a sense of belonging and community.
2. It can develop essential life skills: allowing your young person to stretch out of their comfort zone; try, maybe fail, and then try again, helps foster a growth mindset and therefore build confidence that can challenges be overcome. Such skills prepare our young people for future challenges and helps equip them to handle various situations with confidence and competence. These in turn help your child with their social and emotional wellbeing, allowing them to tap into strategies to assist with stress tolerance and emotional regulation.
3. It can help your young person uncovering and nurture talents: co-curricular activities offer our young people a wonderful opportunity to explore and discover their interests and talents. This can then lead to building confidence and self-belief in other parts of life, and can every uncover potential future career paths. This can in turn foster a love of learning and help balancing their learning experiences at school

Investing in co-curriculars doesn’t have to mean over-scheduling your young person’s co-curricular experiences, burning you out in the process as you try to ensure that your young person meets their multiple demands. Finding a balance of exploring co-curricular activities allows for exploration, stretching the comfort zone, and potentially learning something truly special that can help them into their future years. By encouraging and facilitating involvement in co-curricular activities for your young person, you are helping to shape a well-rounded, confident, and capable individual ready to face the world.

Ex-Students’ Association

Our International Women’s Day function, held last Thursday was another great success.

Thank you to our inspiring panelists and moderator who entertained and enlightened the audience.

Thank you to the College and the P and F who partnered with us. These events don’t just happen, so a big thankyou to the organisers: Michelle, Cynthia, Belinda, Alissa and Yvette.

Elizabeth Pooley
President

Holiday Football

Little United is thrilled to bring its Holiday Football Program back to Santa Sabina’s primary students (K–6) this April 2025!

Program highlights:

• Skill Development: Confidence and technique
• Athleticism: Fitness and coordination
• Game Sense: Teamwork and decision-making

Details:

Dates: 22  24 April 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Santa Sabina Main Field
Coaches: Simon Ly and Farres Aoun

Register now:
Visit www.littleunited.com.au to secure your spot. Spaces are limited!

We can’t wait to see your child kicking GOALS! 

 For inquiries, contact Simon at 0424 609 029.

Jane of Aza Playgroup

Our Jane of Aza Playgroup for families with children under 5 years old is on again in 2025! Current and future families, ex-students and local community members are all welcome at this free-of-charge event. Registration is essential: https://www.trybooking.com/CXYUU